The question from a fishing acquaintance was: “Has the white fly hatch started?” The answer, according to the social media section of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat website, is yes.

The white fly (Ephoron lukeon) hatch, famous among fly fishermen, is an event that usually starts in the lower Susquehanna River, below Wrightsville, and advances upriver and eventually into streams feeding the river including the Yellow Breeches Creek in Cumberland County.

Interesting is the hatch can be spread out, advancing upstream over several days or it can occur everywhere at once. Nature is not always precise, but, once started, the hatch could last a couple of weeks.

A hatch is part of a mayfly’s life cycle. According to the PFBC, the white fly nymph spends most of its life burrowed into the sandy bottom of the stream or river. Growing into an adult, the nymph leaves the burrow and swims to the surface and emerges as a winged adult on the water’s surface.

Fish, including trout, bass, catfish, etc. key on the insect’s rise to the surface. Like any other mayfly, if it successfully reaches the surface, it begins new life as a “dun.” Flying off for a short distance it will return to the surface to lay eggs. After depositing the eggs, the fly will eventually die and return to the surface as a “spinner.”

Fly fishers will use imitation flies of both the dun and spinner stages fishing on top. At times this becomes difficult at the height of the hatch because of numerous hatches occurring at once. Spin anglers can also have success fishing using lures that match the natural.

The only catch to fishing a white fly hatch is that the event begins at dusk and continues as darkness progresses. PFBC says the best fly-fishing is usually concentrated in the evening from 8 to 10 p.m. and maybe even later.

Fishing at night raises a concern for safety, especially if fishing the river. To be safe, an inflatable life jacket and studded boots are recommended. Also carry a whistle and flashlight and do not fish alone. Fishing creeks where the water is not so deep and also be hazardous if you are not familiar with the stream.

Fall stocking

The PFBC has scheduled a fall stocking for trout waters across the state. Of local interest are the Conewago and Muddy creeks which will receive stocking as follows:

Conewago Creek, Adams County – Brown and rainbow trout from the Huntsdale Hatchery will be placed in the stream’s Catch and Release, Fly Fishing Only section, between the Russell Tavern Road bridge and Route 34 on Oct. 10. Hatchery truck will meet at the Letterkenny Reservoir at 10 a.m.

Muddy Creek, York County – Rainbow trout from Huntsdale will be stocked in the Catch and Release, Fly-Fishing Only section, downstream of the Bruce Road bridge to upstream of the Bridgeton Road bridge on Oct. 18. Truck will be at Muddy Creek Forks at 10:30 a.m.

Turkey survey

The Pennsylvania Game Commission is asking the public for help in surveying wild turkey during August.

The public is encouraged to report any turkeys observed during August. Information submitted will help the agency analyze spring turkey production. Participants will be requested to record the numbers of wild turkeys they see, along with the general location, date and contact information if agency biologists have any questions.

Reports can be filed by visiting the Game Commission’s homepage – www.pgc.pa.gov – and clicking on “August Turkey Sighting Survey” in the Quick Clicks section. Mobile apps survey can be found by searching for “Pennsylvania Game Commission” in the Google Play Store or Apple’s App Store.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission is asking the public for help in surveying wild turkey during August.(Photo11: Merma1d, Getty Images/iStockphoto)

“The turkey survey enhances our agency’s internal survey, which serves as a long-term index of turkey reproduction,” explained Mary Jo Casalena, agency wild turkey biologist. “By reporting all turkeys seen during each sighting, whether it’s gobblers, hens with broods or hens without broods, the data help us determine total productivity and allow us to compare long-term reproductive success.”

Bob Marchio is outdoor writer for The (Hanover) Evening Sun. He may be reached at bmarchio@embarqmail.com.